Maxine Singer (b. 1931) is a leading molecular biologist
and science advocate. She has made important contributions
to the deciphering of the genetic code and to our
understanding of RNA and DNA, the chemical elements of
heredity. She helped organize the landmark Asilomar
Conference in February 1975, at which scientists agreed to
impose restrictions on the new and controversial science of
recombinant DNA, and to develop a framework for removing
these restrictions as knowledge of the science advanced.
From 1988 to 2002, Singer was president of the Carnegie
Institution of Washington, a position in which she not only
reinvigorated the Institution's scientific programs, but
served as an effective champion of women in science, of
improvements in science education, and of scientists who
engage in public policy debates.

The Library of Congress Manuscript Division
is the repository for the Maxine Singer Papers, which range from
1950 to
2004. The collection contains
correspondence, lab notebooks, speeches, reports, published articles, clippings, drafts, and photographs.

As part of its Profiles in Science project, the
National Library of Medicine has collaborated with
the Library of Congress to digitize and make available over
the World Wide Web a selection of the
Maxine Singer Papers for use by educators and
researchers. This site provides access to the portions
of the Maxine Singer Papers of the Library of Congress that
have been selected for digitization.
Individuals interested in conducting research in the
Maxine Singer Papers are invited to contact
the Library of Congress.

This online Exhibit is designed to introduce you to the
various phases of Singer's
scientific career and professional life. It is divided
into sections that focus on
Singer's life and major
scientific contributions. We suggest that new visitors
begin with this exhibit, which includes a small
selection of documents and visuals, organized within
these sections. Each section begins with a "Background
Narrative," which leads to "Documents" and "Visuals."

Visitors may access additional materials through
Search
on the navigation bar. They may also view the materials
alphabetically or chronologically by choosing
Browse
on the navigation bar. Documents and visuals in these
lists are arranged by format and then either
alphabetically by title or chronologically.